The Toronto Maple Leafs had a great season as they surprised many by making the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Not only that, but they took the Boston Bruins to seven games in the first round. So with that, it’s time to move on and focus on the off-season as the Leafs will have the opportunity to gain more cap space by using one or both of their compliance buyouts. The two buyouts don’t count towards the team’s cap, so here are three players I think the Maple Leafs should consider buying out this summer.

1) Mike Komisarek 

The first player on my list to be bought out this summer is Mike Komisarek. By the start of the 2013-14 season, I’m confident Komisarek will not be with the team. He currently carries a $4.5 million dollar contract and in fact he isn’t even playing with the Leafs as he’s been down with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) for much of the 2013 season. Many fans have waited for the team to buyout Komisarek’s contract for a few years now, and with the amnesty in effect, I’m sure fans will see their wish come true this summer.

2) Mikhail Grabovski

The next player to look at is Mikhail Grabovski. The 29-year-old signed a five-year extension worth, $27.5 million dollars in March, 2012 and since the extension, he hasn’t been worth the $5.5 a season. Grabovski was put on the third line behind Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri during the regular season only registering 16 points in 48 games played. Grabovski is the highest paid forward on the Leafs, and let’s be honest – he really shouldn’t be. After next season, the Leafs will look to resign Phil Kessel, and with Grabovski still around, signing the speedy American  could be harder to do as he’ll look for $7 million dollars per year.

3) John-Michael Liles

That brings us to John-Michael Liles. The 32-year-old signed a four-year, $15.5 million dollar contract extension in January, 2012 and he really hasn’t been worth the money. During the regular season, Liles would often sit in the press box as a healthy scratch as Korbinian Holzer, Mark Fraser or Mike Kostka played. During the playoffs vs. Boston, Liles played in only four of the seven games as Kostka and Fraser both became injured.

Final Say

Maple Leafs, General Manager, Dave Nonis will have to decide which two players he’ll buyout this summer, but one thing is certain - it shouldn’t be that difficult to decide.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter here: @Dale_Lamontagne

May 10, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) scores a shorthanded goal past Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the second period in game five of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Tyler Bozak was dealing with a couple of injuries during the playoffs. Head coach Randy Carlyle announced on Thursday that Bozak tore his triceps on the final face-off of Game 5. Bozak took the warm-up in Game 6, but did not play and was not in the line-up for Game 7 either.

Bozak was already playing with a torn oblique that he injured late in the regular season. It forced the centre to miss the final two games of the campaign and it was evident throughout the playoffs that he was not 100 per cent. Without Bozak the Leafs struggled on face-offs in the final two games of the series against a Bruins team that is very good on the draws.

It remains to be seen if the Leafs will re-sign Bozak this summer as he is an unrestricted free agent. He made just $1.5M this season, but will likely be looking for a raise. The Leafs have many players that will need to be signed, including Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson who are RFA’s, so signing Bozak could be tricky.